Yeppoon to play for GF spot again

Norths will have this weekend off after the mid-week decision to strip Yeppoon of their major semi-final win.

A 10 minute stint by Sterling Broadhurst in Saturday’s semi-final has cost Yeppoon Seagulls automatic entry into next weekend’s Challenge Cup reserve grand final.

Broadhurst failed to qualify for the reserve grade finals series after playing A grade for the Seagulls in six of the last eight rounds of the competition.

According to the Central Queensland Rugby League rules to qualify for reserve grade a player must only play in four of the last eight matches in the top grade.

After having the win stripped from them on Wednesday, Yeppoon will now need to regroup in time for tomorrow afternoon’s must-win match against Gladstone Brothers at Rockhampton’s Browne Park.

Despite the disruption, Yeppoon president David Hiscox said the club would be ready to go come this weekend’s preliminary final and commended the CQRL on their approach.

“As a club we’d like to praise the Central Queensland Rugby League and the Rockhampton Rugby League for ensuring the game is played fairly,” Hiscox said.

“We had all the information there that had been given to us and it just wasn’t used correctly.”

Hiscox believes the club’s acceptance of the decision is a reflection on how it has changed things around this season.

“We’ve sort of tried to lead from the front and we’ve changed our approach to our behaviour on and off the field,” Hiscox said.

“We’re hoping that as a club, if we can step up and instil values in our players, than it’s going to reflect on the community.”

“We try to play the game as hard and as fair as we can.”

The presence of A grade coach John Harbin has had a big influence on the club and has contributed to the change.

“Before it was beers after the game, now they walk out having a banana and an apple,” Hiscox said.

Following their win over CQU Norths Chargers in the first semi-final, Yeppoon were afforded the luxury of having the weekend off but have now turned their focus on tomorrow afternoon’s match.

“We’re happy to play this weekend,” Hiscox said.

“It can sometimes be better to play the extra game rather than having the weekend off.

“We rallied around yesterday and got everyone back on board.”